Doha: The Supreme Council for Women (SCW), in collaboration with UN Women, introduced the third edition of the Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment during a side event at the Second World Summit on Social Development. The summit, held in Doha, Qatar from November 4 to 6, provided a platform for discussing global social development issues.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event featured the participation of Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, alongside key figures from national women's and family affairs organizations from GCC countries and other nations. Lulwa Saleh Al Awadhi, Secretary General of the SCW, commenced the session by welcoming attendees and discussing the award's origins. This global recognition was first launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa following its success in promoting the development and status of Bahraini women. UN Women adopted the award in 2017, expanding its reach to acknowledge global efforts in advancing women's empowerment.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari praised the initiative, noting its significance in promoting equal opportunities and sustainable development. She highlighted Pakistan's experiences and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering women's empowerment as a fundamental aspect of justice and development.
Dr. Moez Doraid, UN Women's Regional Director for the Arab States and a member of the award's International Jury, provided insights into the objectives, criteria, and target audiences of the award. He encouraged participation in the third edition by reviewing successful projects from previous editions, emphasizing the recognition and opportunities it offers.
Dr. Maimoonah Khalil Al Khalil, Secretary General of the Family Affairs Council in Saudi Arabia, also addressed the audience, praising Bahrain's role in launching the award. She described it as a pioneering initiative that motivates global efforts to enhance women's leadership and decision-making roles. She highlighted the award's evolution from a national to a global platform, which under UN Women's guidance, has increased participation from various sectors.
Dr. Maimoonah Al Khalil stressed the importance of such initiatives in promoting healthy competition and facilitating knowledge exchange among women. She reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to encouraging national participation in the award to showcase exemplary achievements.